Correspondent photos / Sean Barron Attendees at the 13th annual Hot Air Balloon Festival look excitedly as the first of 10 balloons that were launched flies overhead. The nine-hour event was Sunday at Mastropietro Winery in Berlin Center.

BERLIN CENTER — When she was about 8, Jessica Bergstrazer dreamed of one day getting a lift in the world.

On Sunday, her dream was hoisted into reality.

“I always wanted to and, oh, my gosh, I can’t imagine how fun it will be,” the Warren woman said.

Her childhood ambition came true in a big way because she was among those who found themselves airborne during Sunday’s 13th annual Hot Air Balloon Festival at Mastropietro Winery, 14558 Ellsworth Road.

Bergstrazer and an estimated 15 others were given rides in the 10 balloons that were inflated, tethered then launched. The balloons varied from 77,000 to 90,000 cubic feet, Rick Kohut, the event’s flight director and one of the balloon pilots, noted.

Bergstrazer, who’s serving in the U.S. Air Force and is stationed at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Vienna, recalled having read a book about such balloons as a child. Part of her desire then also was to own a hot air balloon and take her family up in it, Bergstrazer said, adding that her excitement Sunday was tempered slightly by the risk factor, though she had no worries.

Miguel Goncalves of Canton, who was part of the crew, explained that an ideal wind speed for launches is 4 to 8 mph. Sunday’s wind was light and variable, perhaps between 3 and 4 mph, and was from the northwest, which caused the balloons to travel in a southeast direction.

“You’re at the mercy of the winds and you go wherever the wind takes you,” Goncalves said.

Several variables determine the length of a typical balloon ride, such as wind direction and speed, fuel, air temperature, weight in the basket and finding a location for landing, he explained.

The ideal times for taking to the air are within about two hours after sunrise and two hours before sunset, Goncalves continued.

Also on hand was a “chase vehicle” that followed the balloons to their landing spot.

Before taking the riders above the landscape, Kohut and fellow pilot Greg Miller provided the passengers and the other pilots with a brief overview of what to expect.

For one, those operating the balloons continually monitor weather and wind conditions from the ground to up to 3,000 feet over the flying area. Kohut released a black helium balloon and tracked its movement and direction to record the wind speed, direction and angle, along with air currents.

“We have become basically micro-meteorologists,” Miller said.

Those piloting the balloons also must follow the same U.S. Federal Aviation Administration visual flight rules as commercial aircraft. Knowing the wind’s behavior is crucial because pilots can steer the balloons vertically but have little control over their horizontal movements, Miller explained.

He added that pilots are in contact with the National Weather Service to check and update conditions hourly.

Of course, safety is paramount, and he will instruct pilots to scrap any launches if weather conditions are deemed a risk, Kohut stressed.

Kohut added he was pleased that the balloon fest has taken off over the years.

“I began this with Dan Mastropietro 10 years ago, and it’s been a great success ever since,” he said.

The nine-hour fest also included plenty of food vendors and artisans with their crafts, as well as face painting and other activities for children. Providing the entertainment were Davis & Henner and The John Reese Trio.

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